BREAST CANCER AWARENESS FOR TEENS

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month in America. It is a special month for people to get informed and take precaution against breast cancer. American Cancer Society funds and conducts research and gives information about prevention. According to the American Cancer Society, the average women in the United States will develop breast cancer is about 12%. ​Breast Cancer Awareness month campaigns for awareness of the disease and research for a cure. During this month, there are numerous ways to participate in this campaign.

Pink is for breast cancer awareness.

People can help women in need by:

Wearing pink

Donating to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for mammograms and research

Creating a fundraiser

Telling people about early detection​ ​

Fortunately, breast cancer is not very common in teenagers. However, young, teen girls should consult with their parents and doctor about normal breast growth. Breast cancer occurs when normal cells grow out of control. The abnormal cells can form a tumor; it can be felt as a lump. The majority of the time breast cancer occurs in women, but sometimes men can also get breast cancer.Medical News Today, a website dedicated to news for healthcare professionals and patients, published an informational article for teens’ awareness. Zawn Villines, who specializes in behavioral health and addiction, reports that 90 percent of breast lumps are not due to cancer. If you feel a lump, it does not necessarily mean it’s breast cancer. Starting when teenagers develop breast (or for males when they go through puberty), teens can begin doing self-exams by themselves to check if there are lumps or changes in the breast for signs of cancer. In the odds of a teenager getting breast cancer, it is a survivable cancer if treated in time.Breast cancer symptoms include:

Lump or lumps in the breast

Swollen lymph nodes under armpits

Unexplained changes of the breast

Change of skin on the breast

If any of these symptoms occur, it is advised that you go to the doctor as soon as possible.

Breast cancer is frightening to think about at a young age. However, it is necessary that teens, especially girls, are informed about breast cancer, so they take precaution against it. It is not 100% likely that teenagers will not get breast cancer, but it is extremely rare. During this month, get educated on breast cancer and tell the women in your life to get checked before it is too late.